Tool and method for insertion and removal of electrical connector interface seals

ABSTRACT

The tool is used for insertion and removal of individual interface seals for electrical contacts. Insertion and removal of the seals is at the interface portion of a pin connector, that is, that portion of the pin connector which interfaces with a mating socket connector. The tool includes a seal insertion end having a small tubular extension which frictionally supports the seal at its interior. The tool with seal is then centered and pushed on the contact to engage the seal into its proper position on the contact and in the connector body. For removal, the tool comprises a seal removal end having a latching mechanism and a floating sleeve. The seal removal end with the sleeve withdrawn is inserted over the pin contact and pushed into the connector block until the reduced section of the tool contacts and latches onto the seal which then drops into the reduced diameter latching portion. The floating sleeve is then slid foward and over the seal to lock the seal within the reduced diameter portion. Removal of the tool removes the seal from the contact. Bores in both ends limit movement of the tool towards the connector body to prevent damage of the seal.

United States Patent Moulin 1451 Mar. 18, 1975 Primary Examiner-C. W. Lanham Assistant Examiner-D. C. Reiley, lIl Attorney, Agent, or Firm-W. H. MacAllister, Jr.;

[75] Inventor: Norbert L. Moulin, Placentia, Calif. Lewis B. stemfels [73] Assignee: Hughes Aircraft Company, Culver 57 ABSTRACT [,22] Filed: May 1973 The tool is used for insertion and removal of individ- [211 App] 3 3 902 ual interface seals for electrical Contacts. Insertion and removal of the seals Is at the Interface portion of a pm connector, that is, that portion of the pin connector [52] US. Cl 29/427, 29/235, 29/280, Which interfaces with a mating Socket Connector The 29/451 tool includes a seal insertion end having a small tubu- [51] Int. Cl. 1323p 19/02 l extension which frictionahy Supports the Seal at its [58] Fleld of Search 29/235, 401, 427, 451, interior. The tool i sea] is then centered and 29/453 282 pushed on the contact to engage the seal into its proper position on the contact and in the connector [56] References C'ted body. For removal, the tool comprises a seal removal UNITED STATES PATENTS end having a latching mechanism and a floating 2,961,755 11/1960 Prince 29/235 Sleeve The seal emo al end with the sleeve with- 2,968,864 1/1961 Lee 29/235 drawn is inserted over the pin contact and pushed into 2,976,345 3/1961 Whitted 29/453 UX the connector block until the reduced section of the 3,145,463 8/l966 HOCkCIl 29/453 X tool ontacts and latches' nto the ea] which then 3.289286 12/1966 Belanger 29/235 drops into the reduced diameter latching portion. The h i "55 4 floating sleeve is then slid foward and over the seal to 3704505 141972 i 'g 4 2 lock the seal within the reduced diameter portion. Re- 3805219 Zr/1924 Bright 59/427 moval of the tool removes the seal from the contact. 3:807:028 4/1974 DeLuca:::........:l:::::::::.......l:. 29/426 Bhores in both 6 litmit movemgnt f lwiards t t t e sea FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS e Connec or O y 0 amage 0 4201.289 l2/l958 Austria 29/282 11 Claims, 13 Drawing Figures [O it 0) '0 0 .oo 6

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. I MA I v TOOL AND METHOD FOR INSERTION AND REMOVAL OF ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR INTERFACE SEALS BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a tool and a method for inserting and/or removing an individual interface seal on or from a pin contact in a connector body.

The concept of an individual interface seal or an electrical'connector is a new concept as set forth in copending patent application, Ser. No. 240,501, filed Apr. 3, 1971 now US. Pat. No. 3,792,416, issued Feb. 12, 1974. Such an interface seal is placed upon each pin contact of a connector and, therefore, there are as many individual seals as there are contacts. Because such seals are individual, if it is needed to install or remove one after installation and thereafter insert new seals in an already wired connector, because of the density of the connector, it is impractical, if not exceptionally difficult, to removethe interface seal with ones fingers. Because the individual interface seal is a new concept, there is no known prior art means or method for the insertion and removal of such seals.

y SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, the present invention relates to a tool and its method of use for insertion and removal of individual interface seals. The tool comprises a double ended rod member which has a reduced diameter on one end on which the interface seal is installed and then transferred to the specific pin contact on which the seal is installed. The other end of the tool has a configuration designed to remove the seal. In normal connector assembly at the factory or the manufacturer, interface seals may be installed by hand, in which each individual seal is picked up and positioned on a pin contact.

For in-field maintenance of the connector, if one desires to remove a pin contact, he must first remove the individual interface seal on that pin contact. Use of the tool also facilitates in-field repair and replacement.

The removal operation is as follows: One end of the tool used for removal of the interface seal is provided with a bore and a floating sleeve adapted to cover a recessed annularly grooved section. This removal end, with the floating sleeve or tube section withdrawn, is inserted over the pin contact and pushed in the direc- [IIOI'I of the connector block as far as possible until the pin strikes the end of the bore. The cylindrical end with the reduced section contacts the seal and expands the end ofthe seal which then drops into the reduced diameter section on the removal end of the too]. To lock the seal onto the tool, the floating sleeve tube section is then slid forwardly toward the connector block. The seal is thus locked to the tool and withdrawal of the tool from the contact removes the seal from the contact and the connector body, while being retained within the removal tool tip. Since this operation is generally performed under fleld conditions, it is desirable to maintain the captive position of the interface seal so that it does not become lost or damaged. By retaining the interface seal in the pocket or inside the tube diameter of the removal end of the tool, the seal can be maintained therein until desired reinstallation of the seal into the contact is required. Thereafter, the contact and/or its attached cable may be repaired and reinstalled in the connector body. After maintenance of the specific contact, or for other reasons such as wiring changes, the contact is reinstalled in the connector block and the interface seal insertion sequence is performed.

The seal installation sequence is accolnplished as follows: If the original interface seal is to be reused, the floating sleeve tube section of the removal end of the tool is slid away from its locking position on the seal, thereby unlocking the interface seal which is removed by hand and reinstalled on the insertion end of the tool on a small reduced diameter at the end which has a bore. Alternatively, if a new seal is to be utilized, the new seal is then installed on the small reduced diameter. In either case, the interface seal is now ready for transfer onto the pin contact. The tool is centered over the contact and the seal is pushed with the tool into its proper position, that is, until the pin abuts against the end of the bore. Since the frictional engagement between the seal and the connector body and its pin is greater than that on the tool, reverse sliding of the tool from the pin leaves the seal in position on the pin and within the connector body.

The bores at both tool ends are of such length as to limit movement of the tool towards the connector body and to prevent damage to the seal. It is, therefore, an object of the present invention to provide a tool for insertion and removal of an individual interface seal.

Another object is to protect an interface seal from damage while other operations are performed.

Another object is to provide stops in the tool to prevent overinsertion of the seal into the contact.

Other aims and objects, as well as a more complete understanding of the present invention, will appear from the following explanation of an exemplary embodiment and the accompanying drawings thereof in which:

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 depicts an illustrative connector body with pin contacts and their individual interface seals thereon;

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the interface seal utilized for each of the contacts of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an external view of the insertion and removal tool with its sleeve in retracted or withdrawn position;

FIG. 4 is a view similar to that of FIG. 3, but in crosssection, showing the floating sleeve in fully extended position;

FIG. 5 is an end view of the tool at its seal removal end;

FIG. 6 is an end view of the tool at its seal insertion end;

FIGS. 7a7d .depicts the sequence of removing an interface seal from one pin contact and from a connector body bore; and

FIGS. 8a-8c depicts the sequence of inserting an interface seal onto a pin contact and within a connector body bore.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Accordingly, with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, a connector 10, which is illustrative of electrical connectors whether rectangular, circular or otherwise, is provided with a plurality of pin contacts 12 extending from bores 13 within a connector body 14 (see also FIGS. 7a-a'and 8a-c. Pin contacts 12 have pins 15 which are adapted 3 to engage companion electrical sockets in a mating connector. The electrical socket connector is not shown since it may be of conventional design. Surrounding eachpf the pin contacts are separate and individual interface seals 16, as more fully disclosed in copending patent application, Ser. No. 240,501 (US. Pat. ,,No. 3,792,416). One of these seals, however, is depicted in FIG. 2. The seal is provided with an internal bore 18 having a dimension which snugly fits about pin 15 of a pin contact 12. At both ends of seal 16 are a pair of flexible, radially extending flanges 20 and 22 which are adapted to be positioned within a pair of aligned and mating pin and socket connector body bores. Terminating the interface seal are reinforcement portions 24 and 26 with an additional reinforcement 28 at the center of the seal. Flanges 20 and 22 are bendable into cup-shaped elements when they are inserted into the respective aligned bores of the pin connector and the socket connector, flange 22 also aiding in the use of the tool for removal of the sea] from its pin and connector body bore.

This tool, comprising the present invention, is depicted in FIGS. 3 through 6 and is generally designated by indicia 30. Tool 30 comprises a shaft 32, preferably of cylindrical configuration, having a seal insertion end 34 (see also FIG. 6) and a seal removal end 36 (see also FIG. Seal insertion end 34 includes a reduced tubular terminating portion 38 whose diameter is reduced from that of shaft 32. The point at which portion 38 joins shaft 32 is defined by an abutment shoulder 39. Portion 38 is provided with an internal bore 40 having a tapered opening 42 for reception of the pin contact. The depth of bore 40 terminates at end 41 is sufficient to permit limited insertion of the pin of the pin contact. The limit to the depth of bore 40 is important to prevent damage of seal 16.

Seal removal end 36 includes a second reduced tubular terminating portion 44 of diameter less than that of shaft 32. Portion 44 terminates in a nipple or flange 46 having a tapered tip 48. Nipple 46 is of diameter greater than that of portion 44 so as to provide a means for latching seal 16 within bore 18. Seal removal end 36 is also provided with a bore 50 having a tapered opening 49 for reception of the pin of pin contact 12 and is also of sufficient depth to end 51 so as to permit entry of the pin therein but to prevent damage to the seal 16.

Seal removal end 36 is completed by a floating sleeve or tube section 52 which is provided with an inwardly turned end flange 54 which surrounds a reduced shank portion 56 of shaft 32. Since shank portion 56 termimated by shoulders 58 and 60, floating sleeve 52 is limited in its travel from its retracted position, as shown in FIG. 3, to its extended position, as shown in FIG. 4, where open end 62 covers tubular terminating portion 44 and nipple 46.

Use of tool 30 for removal of a seal 16 from its position on pin of pin contact 12 and within connector body bore 13 is depicted in FIG. 7a-7d. In FIG. 7a tool 30 is positioned in readiness to be slid over the pin of pin contact 12 and initial sliding engagement is depicted in FIG. 7b. Engagement with seal 16 is depicted in FIG. 70 in which the seal is shown to be distended by nipple 46 at its reinforcement portion 26 and flange 22.

of engagement in order to prevent too great a jamming of the tool on or against seal 16 and possible damage thereto. At this point, the end of seal 16 comprising flange 22 and reinforcement portion 26 is slightly engaged within tubular terminating portion 44 of the tool. Further, to this point, floating sleeve 62 has been retracted against shoulder 58. Sleeve 52 can now be moved forwardly, as shown in FIG. 7d so as to trap or latch reinforcement 26 and the flange within the recess defined by tool terminating portion 44 and nipple 46. Withdrawal of the tool along pin 15 permits seal 16 to be withdrawn from pin 12 and connector body bore 13.

While the seal remains in its position within sleeve 52 of the tool, other operations may be performed on the contact and/or its cable while protecting the seal and also while preventing its inadvertent loss or misplacement. For example, it may be desired to remove one or more pin contacts 12 to replace a defective contact or electrical connection thereto or it may be desired further to accomplish a wiring change. On the other hand, seal 16 may have been damaged in some manner and, therefore, it may be desired to discard the seal and replace it with a new seal. Regardless of the particular reason for having withdrawn seal 16, its reinsertion or replacement by another seal 16 is depicted in FIGS. 8a-8c.

As shown in FIG. 8a, seal 16 has either been removed from seal removal end 36 or a new seal 16 has been placed on tubular termination portion 38 at seal insertion end 34, with reinforcement portion 26 abutting against shoulder 39. As shown, seal 16 is slightly deformed at its flange 22 and reinforcement portion 26 for frictional engagement with portion 38. Tool 30 is now positioned for reinsertion of the seal onto pin 15 of pin contact 12 and within bore 13 of connector body 14. Initial engagement with the pin of the pin contact is shown in FIG. 8b in which the pin is inserted within bore 18 of the seal and into bore 40 of the tool. Further displacement of the tool pushing the contact along the pin of pin contact permits engagement of seal flange 20 within bore 13 as shown in FIG. 80. In a manner similar to that regarding the use of seal removal end 36, the depth of tubular terminating 38 at end 41 is such as to limit the travel of removal end 34 on pin 15 and to permit precise insertion of the seal within bore 13 and onto pin contact 12 and, therefore, to prevent damage to the seal. Because the frictional cooperation between flange 20 and bore 13, as well as on pin 15, is greater than the frictional contact of the seal with terminating portion 38, withdrawal of tool 30 from the pin contact permits the seal to remain in position on the pin contact.

Although the invention has been described with reference to a particular embodiment thereof, it should be realized that various changes and modifications may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. A tool for inserting an individual tubular interface seal on and removing the seal from an electrical pin contact and a bore in a connector body comprising:

a shaft having a body portion of first diameter terminated at each end by a seal insertion end and a seal removal end,

said seal insertion end comprising a tubular terminating portion of diameter less than the first diameter for frictional engagement with an internal bore in the seal, and first bore means extending through said first tubular terminating portion into said shaft body, said first bore means having a depth sufficient to limit axial insertion of the pin contact therein,

said seal removal end comprising a tubular terminating portion of diameter less than the first diameter and terminating in a nipple of diameter substantially equal to the first diameter for enabling a latching engagement with the internal bore in the seal, and second bore means extending through said nipple and said second tubular terminating portion into said shaft body, said second bore means having a depth sufficient to limit axial insertion of the pin contact therein, and

said body portion having a shank of diameter less than the first diameter; and

a tube slidably disposed over said shaft and movable towards and away from said seal removal end in covering and uncovering relationship with respect to said nipple for maintaining the seal latching engagement in the covering relationship, said tube having an inturned flange for containment solely within said body portion shank and for preventing disengagement of said tube from said shaft.

2. A tool for removing a resilient seal from an electrical contact in a connector body comprising a shaft having a portion with means for engaging said seal, for resiliently deforming and securing said seal to said portion and for removal of said seal with said shaft from the contact and the connector body upon movement of said shaft relative to said electrical contact.

3. A tool as in claim 2 wherein said seal engaging means comprises raised peripheral means on said shaft for deforming and latching said seal into engagement with said portion.

4. A tool for removing a seal from an electrical contact in a connector body comprising a shaft having a portion with seal engaging means sufficient to place said seal in holding relationship on said engaging means upon removal thereof from the contact and the connector body, and tubular means slidable on said shaft for covering and uncovering of said seal engaging means whereby, when said seal is engaged by said seal engaging means, said tubular means is slidable to cover said seal and to maintain the holding relationship of the seal with respect to said seal engaging means.

5. A tool for removing a resilient seal from an electrical contact in a connector body comprising a shaft having a portion with seal engaging means sufficient for resiliently deforming and securing said seal to said portion and for removal of said seal from the contact and the connector body, said seal engaging means comprising a reduced portion adjacent the end of said shaft for latching of an internal portion of the seal within said reduced portion.

6. A tool as in claim 2 wherein the contact includes a pin and further including means defining a bore in said portion for receiving the pin, said bore means having a depth of dimension less than the length of the pin for limiting axial insertion of the pin within said bore means and for limiting movement of said seal engaging means towards the connector body.

7. For use with an electrical pin contact having a pin positioned within means for defining a bore in a connector body in which the pin is spaced from the bore means for defining a substantially annular sealreceiving port, a tool for inserting a seal having means for defining an internal bore onto the pin of the electrical pin contact and within the seal-receiving port of the 5 connector body comprising a shaft having an end portion for frictionally engaging the internal bore means and for supporting the seal, and abutment means adja' cent to said end portion for abutting against the seal and for pushing the seal onto the pin contact and within 10 the seal-receiving port with greater frictional contact therewith than with said shaft end portion.

8. A tool as in claim 7 further including means defining a bore in said end portion, said bore means having an end wall and opening means of specified length, the

specified length being less than the length of a pin on the pin contact for limiting insertion of the pin into said bore means.

9. A method for removing an individual seal from an electrical pin contact in a connectorbody comprising the steps of:

sliding one end ofa tool over the pin contact into engagement with the seal; latching the one end of the tool onto the seal; maintaining the latching engagement of the seal to the tool end by sliding covering means over the seal while latched to the tool end; and sliding the tool from the pin contact with the seal in the latching engagement. 10. A method for inserting an individual seal onto a pin contact and within bore means in a connector body,

comprising the steps of:

providing a tool with an end for receiving the seal, with means defining an abutment at the end for abutting against the seal, and with means defining a bore for receiving the pin contact;

placing the seal over the end of the tool in frictional engagement therewith and into abutting contact with the abutment means on the tool;

sliding the tool over the pin contact for receiving the pin contact in the tool bore means and simultaneously sliding and pushing the attached seal by the abutment means into the connector body bore means for frictionally engaging the seal within the connector body bore means and about the pin contact with a greater frictional engagement than the seal to tool frictional engagement; and

sliding the tool from the pin contact, leaving the seal on the pin contact and in the connector body bore means.

11. A method as in claim 9 further for inserting a replacement seal onto the pin contact in the connector body after said seal removal steps, comprising the steps of:

placing the replacement seal over a second end of the tool and into abutting contact with abutment means on the tool;

sliding the tool and the attached replacement seal over the pin contact and into bore means within the connector body, wherein the seal to bore means frictional engagement is greater than the seal to tool engagement; and

sliding the tool from the pin contact, leaving the replacement seal on the pin contact and in the bore means. 

1. A tool for inserting an individual tubular interface seal on and removing the seal from an electrical pin contact and a bore in a connector body comprising: a shaft having a body portion of first diameter terminated at each end by a seal insertion end and a seal removal end, said seal insertion end comprising a tubular terminating portion of diameter less than the first diameter for frictional engagement with an internal bore in the seal, and first bore means extending through said first tubular terminating portion into said shaft body, said first bore means having a depth sufficient to limit axial insertion of the pin contact therein, said seal removal end comprising a tubular terminating portion of diameter less than the first diameter and terminating in a nipple of diameter substantially equal to the first diameter for enabling a laTching engagement with the internal bore in the seal, and second bore means extending through said nipple and said second tubular terminating portion into said shaft body, said second bore means having a depth sufficient to limit axial insertion of the pin contact therein, and said body portion having a shank of diameter less than the first diameter; and a tube slidably disposed over said shaft and movable towards and away from said seal removal end in covering and uncovering relationship with respect to said nipple for maintaining the seal latching engagement in the covering relationship, said tube having an inturned flange for containment solely within said body portion shank and for preventing disengagement of said tube from said shaft.
 2. A tool for removing a resilient seal from an electrical contact in a connector body comprising a shaft having a portion with means for engaging said seal, for resiliently deforming and securing said seal to said portion and for removal of said seal with said shaft from the contact and the connector body upon movement of said shaft relative to said electrical contact.
 3. A tool as in claim 2 wherein said seal engaging means comprises raised peripheral means on said shaft for deforming and latching said seal into engagement with said portion.
 4. A tool for removing a seal from an electrical contact in a connector body comprising a shaft having a portion with seal engaging means sufficient to place said seal in holding relationship on said engaging means upon removal thereof from the contact and the connector body, and tubular means slidable on said shaft for covering and uncovering of said seal engaging means whereby, when said seal is engaged by said seal engaging means, said tubular means is slidable to cover said seal and to maintain the holding relationship of the seal with respect to said seal engaging means.
 5. A tool for removing a resilient seal from an electrical contact in a connector body comprising a shaft having a portion with seal engaging means sufficient for resiliently deforming and securing said seal to said portion and for removal of said seal from the contact and the connector body, said seal engaging means comprising a reduced portion adjacent the end of said shaft for latching of an internal portion of the seal within said reduced portion.
 6. A tool as in claim 2 wherein the contact includes a pin and further including means defining a bore in said portion for receiving the pin, said bore means having a depth of dimension less than the length of the pin for limiting axial insertion of the pin within said bore means and for limiting movement of said seal engaging means towards the connector body.
 7. For use with an electrical pin contact having a pin positioned within means for defining a bore in a connector body in which the pin is spaced from the bore means for defining a substantially annular seal-receiving port, a tool for inserting a seal having means for defining an internal bore onto the pin of the electrical pin contact and within the seal-receiving port of the connector body comprising a shaft having an end portion for frictionally engaging the internal bore means and for supporting the seal, and abutment means adjacent to said end portion for abutting against the seal and for pushing the seal onto the pin contact and within the seal-receiving port with greater frictional contact therewith than with said shaft end portion.
 8. A tool as in claim 7 further including means defining a bore in said end portion, said bore means having an end wall and opening means of specified length, the specified length being less than the length of a pin on the pin contact for limiting insertion of the pin into said bore means.
 9. A method for removing an individual seal from an electrical pin contact in a connector body comprising the steps of: sliding one end of a tool over the pin contact into engagement with the seal; latching the one end of the tool onto the seal; maintaining the latching engagement of the seal to the tool end by sliding covering means over the seal while latched to the tool end; and sliding the tool from the pin contact with the seal in the latching engagement.
 10. A method for inserting an individual seal onto a pin contact and within bore means in a connector body, comprising the steps of: providing a tool with an end for receiving the seal, with means defining an abutment at the end for abutting against the seal, and with means defining a bore for receiving the pin contact; placing the seal over the end of the tool in frictional engagement therewith and into abutting contact with the abutment means on the tool; sliding the tool over the pin contact for receiving the pin contact in the tool bore means and simultaneously sliding and pushing the attached seal by the abutment means into the connector body bore means for frictionally engaging the seal within the connector body bore means and about the pin contact with a greater frictional engagement than the seal to tool frictional engagement; and sliding the tool from the pin contact, leaving the seal on the pin contact and in the connector body bore means.
 11. A method as in claim 9 further for inserting a replacement seal onto the pin contact in the connector body after said seal removal steps, comprising the steps of: placing the replacement seal over a second end of the tool and into abutting contact with abutment means on the tool; sliding the tool and the attached replacement seal over the pin contact and into bore means within the connector body, wherein the seal to bore means frictional engagement is greater than the seal to tool engagement; and sliding the tool from the pin contact, leaving the replacement seal on the pin contact and in the bore means. 